Starting-machine for race-horses.



No. 660,984. Patented 0st. 30, I900. c. w. cnowuav. STARTING MACHINE FOR RACE HORSES.

(Application filed Jan. 2, 1900.)

2 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

TNE Nonms PETERS co.. mcn'aumq. WASHINGTON o. c.

No. 660,984. Patented Oct. 30, 1900.

- 0. w. CROWLEY.

STAR'HNG MACHINE FUR RACE HORSES.

(Application filed. Jan. 2, 1900.)

' (No model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2..

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES W. CROWLEY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

STARTING-MACHINE FOR RACE-HORSES.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent N 0. 660,984, dated October 30, 1900.

Application filed January 2, 1900. Serial No. '71. (No model.) I

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, CHARLES W. CRO LEY, of the city of St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Starting-Machines for Race- Horses, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

This invention relates to starting-machines for race-horses; and it consists of the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter shown, described, and claimed.

The object of this invention is to provide a device by means of which race-horses may be retained in a position suitable for an even and uniform start, which device is p'rovided'with side and rear barriers for the purpose of better attaining that end.

Figure l is a View in perspective showing the device in use. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device when in a position suitable for placing the horses therein. Figs. 8, 4, and 5 are enlarged views showing the construction and arrangement of the different parts.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings, 1 indicates the lower side barriers, each of which is provided with a'pair of wheels 2, connected thereto by means of the swivels 3. The upper side barriers 4 are supported above the bottom barriers by means of the standards 5, and the rear end of each of the upper and lower side barriers is provided with a metallic strengthening-plate 6.

The upper and lower rear barriers of the device are each composed of two parts, of which 7 denotes the parts of the lower barrier, and 8 indicates those of I the upper one. The different parts of the respective barriers are pivotally secured togetherby means of the hinges 9, attached to their rear sides. The upper and lower rear barriers so formed are retained a suitable distance apart by means of the standards 10, in all respects similar to the standards 5 Each end of both the upper and lower rear barriers is provided with a pair of lock-plates 11, which are made to project a distance equal to the thickness of the side barriers and to inclose the same when locked in position for use. Lock-pins 12 are used for locking the parts in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and pass through apertures in I Pivotally securedto the front end of eachof the upper side barriers by means of hinges 14is one-half of a front barrier 15. The front barrier is provided with a lock consisting, of the clip 16, secured to one part of the barrier, and the slide-bolt 17, operating in the guides 18, secured to the other member of the barrier. A means for unlocking the lock is provided, comprisingtheflexible connection 18, secured to the end of the bolt 17 and operating in the guide 19. A leaf-spring 20 is secured to the inner face of each of the upper side barriers, the front end of which is pressed outwardly by the members of the front barrier when the same are closed. A retractile coil-spring 21 for each member of the front barrier is connected at its front end to one of the said members and at their rear ends to the side members. The purpose of all the springs above described is to throw the front barrier open when the lock is released. The position which they assume when so thrown open is illustrated in Fig. 2.

Guide-clips 22 are secured at suitable intervals on the upper surface of the rear barrier, the purpose of which is to receive bars 23 for separating the horses while they are in the device before starting.

This device has been constructed with a view to overcome the difficulty which has always been encountered in giving horses an even and uniform start in races. To attain this end, the side and rear barriersare found to be necessary to prevent the horses from moving out of line in those directions during the restless periods before starting. The device may be moved forward before opening the front barriers, and thus the horses can be forced into an even start while in the pen. When this is done, the front barriers can be quickly thrown out of the way and the horses all move off on an exactly even line.

When the horses have been started, the device can be quickly removed from the track by removing the lock-pins 12 and swinging the parts all together, when it can be quickly carried from the track.

'cality to another, substantially as specified.

-I claim- 1. A movable starting-machine, provided with rear, side and front barriers pivotally secured together, a'means for locking the said barriers in a rectangular shape, and a means foroperating said front barrier to allow horses to enter or pass from said starting-machine, substantially as specified.

2. A starting-machine, consisting of rear, side and front barriers pivotally secured together, a means for holding said barriers in a shape suitable for use, a lock for said front barrier and springs for actuating said front barrier when the lock is removed, substantially as specified.

3. A starting machine, comprising side, rear and front barriers pivotally secured together, means for operating said front barrier, and suitable wheels by means of which the said machine maybe moved from one lo 4. A movable starting-machine, comprising side, rear and front barriers pivotally secured together, traction-wheels upon which said barriers are mounted, means for locking said barriers in a rectangular shape, and means for removing said front barrier when it is desired to start the horses, substantially as specified.

5. A starting-machine, comprising a rear barrier, side barriers pivotally secured to said rear barrier, a front barrier, means for operating said front barrier, and suitable wheels for moving said machine from one locality to another, substantially as specified.

6. Astarting-machine, comprisingside and rear barriers pivoted together, a front barrier, means for looking said front barrier in a position suitable for use, and means for removing said front barrier when it is desired to start the horses, substantially as specified.

7. A starting-machine, comprising a rear barrier, side barriers pivoted to said rear barrier, a front barrier, means for locking said front barrier in position, means for removing said front barrier, and traction-wheels for moving the machine from one locality to another, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES W. GROVVLEY.

Witnesses:

JOHN D. RIPPEY, JOHN C. HIGDON. 

